Election 2020: 3rd Congressional District candidates address climate change, pandemic
The pandemic will be one of the first topics the winner of the race will face after taking office. And both Johnson and
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
Johnson generally considers herself a fiscal conservative, but when she looks at the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republican congressional candidate said the federal government needs to do something to help small businesses and people who have lost some or all of their income.
"Right now, we are in a silent war situation," she said. "We are still not out in the clear."
The first bill she would introduce if elected would be to assist small business owners. She said this could be in the form of low-interest loans or grants to help businesses create a COVID-safe environment for customers, such as contactless payment options.
"These are new methods of doing business," she said.
She supports stimulus funds to prevent layoffs and business foreclosures. Johnson also stressed that it is important to reopen
Meanwhile,
"What we have lacked in
She said the country must also address the economic devastation caused by the virus, and the country must build back better than the way it was. That includes investment in infrastructure and clean energy.
"We are going to have a very large stimulus package that will bring us out of the recession,"
She said the stimulus package could include money for infrastructure projects like water and broadband, but could also include things to help communities like
"Our system is kind of broken right now," she said. "We don't want to just put it back together. We want to make it more resilient, more vibrant."
Johnson also supports building out infrastructure, like broadband, which she said could assist the
Addressing the climate crisis
Both Johnson and
"I think sustainability has a place, but I do not think that it should overtake all of
"We must move away, transition away from fossil fuels because our
This would mean longer droughts and water shortages that could make it harder for people to survive, she said.
She said renewable energy development and electric vehicles could generate 30,000 jobs in
"We understand that the temperatures are rising," Johnson said. "I don't think I need to argue against science that temperatures are rising. ... We need to come together for common sense solutions, not ideas, hopes and wishes."
She said there need to be jobs in place for the workers who will lose their jobs when power plants like the
"What I propose is utilizing innovative technologies and also new technologies," she said.
Johnson also expressed support for a railroad spur connecting
"The approach that I bring to issues around resource development is that you must not sacrifice our future for very short-term gain," she said.
One area in wihch
"They are trying to make
Differing views on abortion and gun control
One of the most stark differences between
Johnson is strongly opposed to abortion while
Johnson describes herself as the candidate "fighting for basic American values," including the right to life for the unborn and the right to bear arms.
And while Johnson is firmly in favor of gun rights,
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